The Effects Attitude Has on Workplace Productivity

by Chris Joseph, Demand Media

A positive attitude can improve worker productivity.

Corporate Office Employee image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com

Business owners looking for ways to improve worker productivity can start by evaluating the attitude their employees bring to the job each day. A positive or negative attitude affects how workers approach their jobs, and attitudes can have a ripple effect on those around them. In general, a positive attitude with have a positive impact on productivity, while the reverse is also true.

Change Adaptation

Work environments can change frequently as companies update work procedures, introduce improved technology and add new products and customers. Employees who display a positive attitude toward change may welcome and even embrace it, as they may view it as a chance to enhance their skills. As a result, they may adapt to change more quickly than an employee with a negative attitude, reducing the time it takes to implement change in a productive manner.

Teamwork

An employee's attitude has an impact on how she functions as part of a team. For instance, as many companies attempt to create a more diverse workplace, employees may need to work with people of a different race, nationality or gender than they have in the past. Employees who embrace these diverse workers and are willing to assimilate them into their team can foster a spirit of cooperation, making the team more productive in the process.

Innovation

Workplace attitude can affect the presence of innovation and creativity, which can lead to increased productivity. Workers with a positive attitude toward their job and the company are more likely to make helpful suggestions or ideas that help the business grow. On the other hand, workers with a negative attitude may only be concerned with producing enough to get by while having little interest in innovation.

Turnover

Companies that experience high employee turnover levels not only incur the high costs associated with hiring workers, they also experience reduced productivity until the new workers are up to speed. Employees who feel good about their jobs and workplace may be less likely to leave for greener pastures, helping companies to minimize the productivity gap associated with turnover. Employees with negative attitudes may eventually seek an improved work situation and decide to leave the company.

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